Black Caps Leaders Champion New T20 Franchise League in NZ

Two prominent figures in New Zealand cricket, Black Caps captain Mitch Santner and explosive batter Daryl Mitchell, have publicly endorsed a proposed T20 franchise league, known as NZ20. This initiative comes as a private consortium seeks to establish a new competition, sparking discussions about the future of domestic cricket in New Zealand. Despite some concerns within the cricketing community, New Zealand Cricket has sought to downplay any internal conflicts surrounding the league.

In a recent appearance on The Cricketers’ Network podcast, Santner expressed his enthusiasm for the proposed T20 league, stating, “We’ve seen it kind of work around the world already…we’re the kind of the last country.” He highlighted the potential benefits for domestic players, suggesting that the league would enhance their visibility and skills by allowing them to compete alongside international talents. “It’s a really exciting opportunity,” Santner continued, emphasizing the importance of showcasing local talent on a global stage.

Mitchell echoed Santner’s sentiments, underscoring the urgency of establishing a franchise tournament in New Zealand. “We as a playing group are really excited about the opportunity of NZ20,” he remarked. He noted that New Zealand is likely the only major Test-playing nation without a franchise tournament, adding that the league would be vital for the growth of cricket in the country. “It needs to help grow the game not only for us international players but for domestic players and for the next generation of Kiwis that want to play cricket,” he stated.

While some skeptics argue that New Zealand’s smaller population may hinder the success of a franchise league, Mitchell remains optimistic. He pointed out the passion Kiwis have for sport, stating, “You only need to see how much Kiwis love sport and love cricket in New Zealand.” He envisions a city-based competition that could capture the public’s interest, particularly during the proposed four-week tournament in January.

Mitchell also highlighted the potential for young players to benefit from the experience of competing with seasoned professionals. Reflecting on his early career, he recalled how exposure to international players in tournaments like the HRV Cup was invaluable. “The knowledge that they passed on to me was invaluable,” he noted, suggesting that having established players in NZ20 could provide similar benefits for emerging talent.

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that it is currently evaluating the merits of the NZ20 proposal as part of a broader strategy for the future of domestic T20 cricket. This includes exploring options under the initiative dubbed ‘Project Bigger Smash’. Among the considerations are potential monetization strategies for the existing Super Smash competition and the possibility of entering New Zealand teams into Australia’s Big Bash competitions. An independent assessment of these options is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

As the discussion around NZ20 unfolds, the support from key players like Santner and Mitchell indicates a strong push for the advancement of cricket in New Zealand. Their enthusiasm for the proposed league reflects a broader desire to elevate the game, not only for current players but for future generations as well.